Assistance regarding daily calories

LMRoses

Hi there! Long time user here, successfully lost 20kg in the past with MFP, and trying very hard to lose it again after having a baby 18 months ago. Despite feeling like I've been counting calories forever, my self-sabotage means I'm actually at my highest ever non-pregnant weight, just shy of 300lbs. I'm making a fresh start (again), but am feeling a bit unsure about the calorie goals to set.

I don't know whether it's better to set a 1kg loss per week with my activity level at lightly active (with a toddler all day and usually periods of intermittent walking throughout each day), or 0.5kg loss per week and set the activity level at sedentary, then trying to track every piece of activity I do. I know the wisdom is to not cut too hard, but I do feel very worried about setting the calories too high, not losing weight 'quickly' enough, and getting discouraged and giving up again.

I can't stay at this weight. I'm 34 and can feel the effects on my health. I want to live a long, healthy, active life. I want to set a good example for my son. I don't want to look back at my life and regret not losing weight, and wind up spending my whole life uncomfortable and ashamed of myself. I'd love any advice or input people can give on this, and friends are always welcome! Thankyou so much.

Sued0nim

At 300lbs you'd be fine at sedentary and 1kg a week

Why don't you get a fitbit, or similar, to track your daily activity on top and automatically adjust your calories ...I like the zip better than the wristband ones because I clip it to my pocket or bra and forget it...

SexyKatherine73

I started out at 280 pounds (127kg) and I have it set to 1kg per week, I found after a few weeks I was moving more and wanted more food so I set it to light movement and that seems to work just great for me

DawnieB1977

I started out weighing less and have mine set at 1lb loss a week, but I suppose 2lbs loss would be fine if you're heavier.

I agree about getting a Fitbit. I'm very active but I got one anyway (a Zip). I've usually done 1000 steps before I even leave the flat in the morning. I have 3 young kids

I'm losing weight after my 3rd at the moment, but I did lose 66lbs after my 2nd, at the rate of about 1lb a week, maybe more some weeks. I only weigh every 4-6 weeks usually.

Calorie wise I eat 1500-1700 depending how hungry I am, and I don't eat back exercise calories despite exercising a lot. I think I may have set mine at 'active' though, so that probably takes a lot of that exercise into account.

I aim for lot of protein and try to get lots of veg in every day. I don't cook separate meals for my children.

What did you do to lose 20kg before?

LMRoses

Thanks so much for your replies I've been toying with the idea of a Fitbit for a while now, so may start looking more seriously at that option. I do have the step tracker in my phone which I can link to MFP to automatically adjust with that, so I might get that going again for now. I think the best plan for now is to keep my 1kg per week at lightly active, take my extra walks into account and then see what happens after one week. I do remember in the past the initial loss was quite fast, and I just can't remember the settings I used when I lost the 20kg. But of course, I was working 9 hours a day then and my activity level was very different to my current lifestyle.